Category: See & Do: LGBTQ

Throughout New Zealand, Ponsonby is a byword for upmarket style. For those who feel resentful of the big city’s dominance of New Zealand’s economy its cafés, restaurants and smart shops are also the epitome of Auckland pretentiousness. But the truth is more nuanced. Its denizens reflect the last 40 years of its upward economic trajectory. The Tongans and Samoans who...

Becoming the stuff of legend, the Space Salon is a hair center by day, and with clever furniture changes, a gay bar at night (wine and cocktails US$4.50, beers US$2). Strange as it sounds, the concept works. Owner, Sopheap Chuk, is a licensed hairdresser and qualified as a Certificat Maquillage Professionnel ‘Beaute/Mode’ and Certificat Professionnel de Coiffure. The salon offers...

Drag queen cabaret as it’s finest: diva’s, martinis, and a white cubed layout that doubles as a runway. Show the dolled up lip-singer’s some love with singles and you’ll be hard pressed to find a more entertaining way to drink the night away. The Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club is the bedazzled heart of Boystown. Daily Specials with half-priced martinis...

A party of some kind is always underway in this colorful gathering spot. Sundays are a celebration of bad music; Thursdays are charity bingo, but there’s always an open mic here, as well as some of the most fashionable drag shows in the city. No matter what your persuasion, Mary’s really does have great hamburgers and chili. The KC barbecue...

You’ll know you’re not in Kansas anymore when you watch one of Missie B’s nightly drag shows, one specifically devoted to the Wizard of Oz. Dance to live bands or DJ, or join in some karaoke – all taking place on three separate levels of this completely tricked out building. Of course, you don’t have to be gay to appreciate...

Most gay and lesbian bars and lounges catering to gays and lesbians are located in Downtown Orlando, not near the theme parks. They cater mostly to locals. Straights also visit a few clubs on special show and entertainment nights. Among the best-known hangouts are: The Parliament House claims to be the world’s largest all gay resort and entertainment complex. It...

Diana’s Tours is a cruise company aimed at an LGBTQ audience, but more sedate than the Wet & Wild cruise. The tour includes breakfast and a shore lunch, beaches, snorkling, a sail, and a cocktail after the cruise in the rooftop bar at Blue Chairs. She has been running these tours for seventeen years.

The Wet & Wild Cruise is a six hour experience. The trimaran leaves from the pier at Los Muertos, makes a snorkling stop at Los Arcos, stops for lunch and at a clothing optional beach, and ends with partying on board on the return sail. It is a definitely adult experience and while it is designed for gay men, female...

Great breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week in a bright, energetic environment. Popular with the LGBT crowd, Mo, Kathy and Becky don’t discriminate. Even straight people are served and enjoy the vegan and vegetarian options along with lots of your basic burgers and fries, bacon and eggs. Lots of levels and corners to sip a cup in silence,...

CC Slaughters uses the latest technology to make it one of the most up-to-date clubs in the U.S. It features a text messaging system, robot lighting and laser show, a 22,000-watt audio system and large LCDs. Its DJs have a history in Portland, knowing what customers like and what customers need. Its friendly staff and great location make it a...

A Gay Village staple, Montreal’s premier drag club/cabaret is run by Montreal’s most famous drag queen – the incomparable, caustic and oh-so entertaining Mado La Motte. Divas, sequins, stilettos, evening gowns and queens for a day welcome. METRO: Beaudry Written by Steve Howell

Montreal’s Gay Village has its roots during the 1980s when local business began to open a concentration of bars and clubs in a gay neighborhood. The main drag (pun intended) runs along Ste. Catherine Street from about Berri to Papineau streets. The Village proper is bordered by René Lévesque Boulevard to the south; near Papineau Avenue to the east; Sherbrooke...

Oh, so you’re here for your “bachelor” or “bachelorette” party, huh? Well, Montreal boasts a bevy of strip clubs no matter what your preference for scantily-clad bodies. A word of note: be prepared to spend a little cash for cover, drinks, and whatever else you had in mind. For guys seeking girls, Club Super Sexe (696 Rue Ste. Catherine W.)...

Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett’s career began in the early 20th century. That name probably doesn’t ring any bells. She preformed using her married name, Ma Rainey, and became famous as “Mother of the Blues.” Ma Rainey’s small, two-story, clapboard house in a poorer section of Columbus is now a free museum. Ma Rainey built the house for her mother in...

Yes, The Pink House is really Pink. Dating somewhere between 1694 and 1712, this 18-inch-thick Bermuda stone building is America’s second oldest masonry residence. During its long history it has been a tavern, brothel, private residence, art gallery and law office. In the 1940’s the Pink House served as a meeting place for the Piping and Marching Society. This group...

Named for the former Toronto mayor (1994-1997) and Ontario human rights commissioner, this small park by the Church-Wellesley intersection is a great place to step away from the bustle of the street and relax with a coffee or tea. Features include an AIDS memorial, performance space, dog off-leash area and splash pad. Look over at The 519 building beside the...

There are many ways to see Toronto, but taking in the perfectly-shaped skyline at Hanlan’s Point Beach on a sunny summer afternoon has to be among the best. This wide, scenic stretch of the Toronto Islands shoreline is a fantastic place for a beach day. It’s been an unofficial meeting place for LGBTQ Torontonians for generations – a tradition that...

Toronto’s annual Pride celebration is held each June and features three weeks of shows, parties, discussion sessions and more. Event parades travel down Yonge Street and include a Trans March and Dyke March; the main Pride parade, and street party on Church St, is held on the final Sunday. Thousands of partygoers flock downtown for the parades, so arrive early...

Named after its central intersection of Church St and Wellesley St, Toronto’s LGBTQ village is full of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs to enjoy. The rainbow-coloured street signs throughout the neighbourhood will remind you where you are! When the weather is nice, relax in one of the area’s parks or enjoy a drink on an outdoor patio. TTC Subway: Wellesley...